Psychotherapies

Psychotherapies

BEH225

Psychotherapies

There are many types of psychotherapies three of which are cognitive therapy, behavior therapy and existential therapy. Cognitive therapy is a therapy directed at changing the maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, and feelings that underlie emotional and behavioral problems. Typically this type of therapy is used to treat anxiety and depression, the idea is to change a person’s way of thinking and the way they adapt and react. Therapist require clients to keep trak of their thoughts and then list the ones that they focus on the most. Therapist then show them how to coup or react to each situation. Cognitive therapy for anxiety and depression is just as effective as taking drugs plus a person is less likely not to have another episode because they have changed their way of thinking. Behavior therapy is an action therapy that uses learning principles to make constructive changes in behavior. Behavior therapist do not believe that behaviors are caused by a person past instead they believe that an action is learned therefore it can be relearned. The therapist use classical or operant conditioning to achieve the desired outcome. Behavior therapy as seen success in areas such as addictions, more specifically alcoholics anonymous. There has even been success in the treatment of ADHD patients. Existential therapy focuses on the problems of existence, such as meaning, choice, and responsibility. Existential therapy promotes self-knowledge and emphasizes free will or the human ability to make choices. Therapist encourage people to make rewarding and socially contrastive choices. Victor Frankl, a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp is a fine example of how existential therapy can help a person keep sane. While in camps a lot of prisoners would break down, feeling stripped down with a loss in hope to all humanity. A simple belief to keep a purpose in life even when id dire moments could keep a person sane.